Swift gave a speech in the middle of her performance, stating that she believes she was selected for the Time 100 list due to her songwriting.

"For me writing, I've always known it was the main pillar holding up my career," Swift said, Variety reported. "I use [writing] as a way to justify things that happen to me," she continued. "Whether they're good or bad, I like to honor the good times and really process the bad times."

Swift's Time 100 gala appearance comes as she prepares to release new music on Friday. The singer released a countdown clock recently on her website and has teased fans on Instagram about what is coming by posting images of pastel items such as purses and jewelry.